Three killed in Pasadena shooting; suspect in custody

Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez discusses a shooting that left three people dead and two others injured on Saturday in the 1700 block of North Summit Avenue in Pasadena. The alleged gunman also fired on a police officer, but did not hit him, before ultimately surrendering to authorities.
Brian Day — staff

PASADENA >> A man armed with a rifle allegedly shot and killed three people, wounded two more and opened fire on a police officer before ultimately surrendering Saturday afternoon.

The 4:20 p.m. shooting in the 1700 block of North Summit Avenue was believed to have stemmed from a dispute between a landlord and tenant, though the details were not yet clear, Pasadena Police Chief Phillip Sanchez said.

The shooter was identified as 35-year-old John Izeal Smith of Pasadena.

Two men and a woman died in the shooting, Sanchez said. One of the victims was a good Samaritan who heard gunshots and came to help before being allegedly being shot to death by Smith.

A man and a woman were hospitalized with wounds not believed to be life-threatening, according to Pasadena police officials and Pasadena Fire Department spokeswoman Lisa Derderian.

The victims’ identities were not available. Police said the five shooting victims ranged in age from 20 to 70.

One of the first officers to arrive at the scene in response to reports of gunshots encountered a wounded person lying outside the home, Sanchez said. The officer rushed to help the shooting victim.

He exited his patrol car and attempted to render aid.

“That’s when he came under fire. He quickly retreated back behind his vehicle.”

“The suspect peppered the vehicle with gunfire, but the officer was not injured,” Sanchez said.

Smith then fled back into the home and refused to come out, police said. He was armed with a semi-automatic rifle.

Police soon learned that Smith had shot one person to death inside the home before chasing additional victims down the street, the chief said.

A second victim was fatally shot outside the home, as was the good Samaritan who rushed toward the gunfire to help the wounded, Sanchez said. The two other victims were also shot outside the home. It was unclear if they were intended targets, or merely bystanders.

The relationship between the suspect and victims was unclear, as was the relationship between the victims, Sanchez said.

Initial investigation indicated that, “This whole incident was brought about by a landlord-tenant dispute,” Sanchez said. It was not immediately clear if Smith lived at the home where the shooting occurred.

Police were seeking no additional suspects, Lt. Ed Calatayud said.

“We believe (Smith) is the lone shooter,” Sanchez added.

Only the rifle was believed to have been used in the shootings, however Smith “had access” to two additional handguns, Sanchez said. Further details regarding the weapons, or how Smith obtained them, were not available Saturday.

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While Smith remained barricaded inside the home after shooting at a police officer, he called the Pasadena Police Department, Sanchez said. He told a dispatcher he had just shot some people.

A crisis negotiator assisted the dispatcher as she persuaded the suspect to exit the home and surrender without further violence.

“It’s a horrific day,” Sanchez said. But in addition to tragedy, “I think there are plenty of heroes in this situation.”

Heroes included the good Samaritan who died, the residents who first called 9-1-1 to report the shooting, the officers who responded to the scene and the dispatcher who talked Smith into giving up, he said.

“I’m just tremendously proud of the Pasadena Police Department and the Pasadena Fire Department,” Sanchez said.

Enrique Garcia, 30, of Pasadena said he was a block to the north of the shooting scene along Tremont Avenue when he heard what sounded like four gunshots, immediately followed by a large group of police rushing down the street with emergency lights and sirens activated. He said he did not hear any additional gunfire after.

Police cordoned off a large perimeter as they investigated the crime scene, collecting bullet casings and other evidence, along with witness statements.